Belarusian family loses $78,000 in suspected Minsk apartment scam
A family from the Gomel region fell victim to a suspected property scam after moving to Minsk in May 2025. Victoria and her relatives had planned to sell their country house to buy a two-room family dollar apartment on Surganova Street for $78,000. Instead, they now face financial uncertainty and a lengthy legal battle.
Victoria first spotted the apartment listing online and contacted the seller, a 69-year-old woman. The woman claimed she needed to sell quickly to avoid first watch mortgage payments but expected to stay in the flat for another month or two after the deal. During negotiations, Victoria grew suspicious when the seller insisted on unusual conditions, including being registered in the medical records of the new apartment.
The seller also alleged that the real estate agent involved was working for another agency. Despite these red flags, Victoria proceeded with the transaction. Shortly after transferring the money, the seller disappeared, and the family discovered the property was never legally theirs.
Official records show that in the first half of 2025 alone, Minsk authorities documented 12 similar fraud cases linked to apartment sales. Many followed a comparable pattern, with sellers exploiting buyers' urgency and trust.
The family's savings are now at risk, and they must navigate legal procedures to recover their funds. Authorities continue to investigate the case, warning others to verify property ownership thoroughly before making payments. The incident highlights the growing problem of real estate fraud in the city.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
